Valve-gear



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I'. M. BITES.

' VALVBGEAR.

No. 542,424. Patented July 9, 1895.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR,

f/ I I (No Model.) v F M 5 Sheets-Sheet y VALVE GEAR;

No. 542,424. Patented July 9, 1895./

FI E. l2.

wn'm-:sses: mvENToR, ma 7M @y (No Model.) I v v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. F. M.RITES.

VALVE GEAR,

f No. 542,424. Patented July 9, 1895.

FIBJS.

li NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

VALVE-GEAR. e

SPECIFICATION forming part o f Letters Patent No. 542,424, dated July 9,1895.

Application ned october 16,1894. serial No. 526,042. (No modem Y T allwhom, it may con/cern.-

Bo it known that I, FRANCIS M. RITEs, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of AtoPennsylvania, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful`Improvementin Valve` Gear, of which improvement the following' is aspecification.

The object ofmy invention is to provide simple and efficient meanswhereby distribution functions of two or moreliuid-pressure cylindersmay be coincidently and differentially varied in such manner that asystem of engine, illustrating. an application'of my in- Adistributionmechanisms of differential variability may be controlled by a singlegovernor. To this end my invention,generally stated,

consists in the combination of an adjustable eccentric, aA fixedeccentric, a link or frame connecting the rods of said eccentrics, adistribution-valve mechanism connected to thev The improvement claimedis hereinafter.

fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side View in elevation of atandem compound Y vention; Fig. 2, a plan View, partly Ain section,

of the same; Fig. 3, a sideview in elevation of the link or frame whichconnects the rodsv of the adjustable and fixed eccentrics and the 1rocker operated thereby; Figi/1, a view in ele# in elevation showing theconnections of the air-cylinder valves; Fig. 8, a side View in elevationof the linkor frame which connects the rods of the adjustable and fixedeccentrics and the rocker operated thereby; Fig. 9, a verticallongitudinal central section through a double tandem compound enginehaving my invention applied; Fig. 10, a transverse saction through thesame at the line x at of Fig.

9; Fig. 11, a partial end view showing the adi justable eccentric andits connections; Fig.

12, an end View inA elevation showing an application in a threecylinderengine of the marine type having .itscranks set one hundred Referringfirst to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, my.

invention is exemplied in a two-cylinder tandem compound engine having ahigh-pressure cylinder 1 and a low-pressure cylinder 2, which are fixedin line axially on'a bed-plate' 5, near one end of which a crank-shaft 4is mounted in suitable bearings. The high and low pressure pistons 6 and7 are secured upon a common piston-rod 9, which is coupled intheordinary manner to the vpin of a crank 10 on the shaft 4 by aconnecting-rod 12. The distribution functions of the high-pressurecylinder l vare effected and controlled by a distribution-valve 13,whichis fixed upon a stem'l andis fitted to reciprocate in-a Valvechest 14.on the cylinder 1.. Tl1e.`distribution functions of the lowpressurecylinder 2 vare effected and controlled by a distribution-valve 13,which is fixed upon a stem 15L and is fit.- ted to reciprocate in avalve-chest Macu the cylinder 2. The distribution-valves13 13a are reciprocated through connections to -their stems by an actuating mechanism,which will.

nowV be described.

An eccentric 16 is fitted adjustably upon the crank-shaft 4 audisadapted to be regu- .la'tedin position thereon by a governor 17, bywhich itis moved transversely to the'shat't through arangel of `traverseadmitted by a slot 18 in the eccentric. An' eccentric 34 is fixed uponthe crank-shaft adjacent tof'th'e adjustable eccentric. Theeccentric-rods 20 and Stof the adjustable and fixed eccentrics 16 and34: are pivotally connected at'ther outer the loW-pressu1c-cylinderdistribution-valve 13at is coupled to the link or frame 35 at a pointbetween the connections of the eccentric-rods IOO 2O and 31 and the stem15 of thehigh-pressurecylinder distribution-valve 13 is coupled to anarm 3S on the end of the rock-shaft 37 opposite that which is connectedto the link or frame 35.

1t will be seen that under the construction above described the cut-offobtainable by the connection of a valve-stern to the top of the link orframe 35 is that due to the fixed eccentric and is therefore invariable.rPhe valve-stem 15 of the high-pressure distribue tion-valve being inthis vinstance connected (through the arms 36 and 38 and rock-shaft 37)to the link or frame 35 at a point below the connection of the rod ofthe adjustable eccentric, the high-pressure distribution-valve 13 willbe variable not only through the entire range of cut-ott d ue to theadjustable eccentric, but also through an increased range, due to thelever-arm formed by the vertical distance between the centers of theconnections of the rod or frame 35 to the eccentric-rod 2O of theadjustable eccentric and to the rocker-arm 36, respectively. 'It thesetwo centers are made coincident, as lnay be done, if preferred, therange of cut-of`t` of the high-pressure distribution-valve will be equalto that due to the adjustable eccentric. The valve-stem 15a ot' thelow-prcssure distribution-valve, being connected to the link or frame 35at a point out of line with the connections ofthe rods of the fixed andadjustable eccentrics, is influenced by both of said eccentrics, and therange of cut-off of the low-pressure distribution-valve will thereforebe less in extent and have a less degree of variation than that of thehighpress` pressure valve-stem is connected to the rod or frame 35farther from or nearer to the point of connection of the rod of theadjustable cccentric. As the lower side of the rod or frame 35 has thewider and the upper side the narrower range of cut-off, an y pointbetween the two will correspondingly have a wider or a narrower range ofcut-off as it approach es the lower or the upper side, respectively.Variation of cut-off in the two cylinders will, for the reasons stated,be effected coincidently, but differentially, by the governor.

Fig. 4 shows lthe centers of the connections of the eccentric-rod E20and the rocker-arm 36 to the link or frame 35 made coincident, as abovespecified, and also shows the link or frame 35 as slotted, in order toadmit of the connection of the low-pressure valve-stem 15 being made atsuch desired point as may be determined by experiment to be best suitedto the conditions of operation.

It will be obvious that if a valve-stem connection be made to the linkor frame 35 beyond or above the connection ofthe rod 31 of the fixedeccentric thereto distribution functions of the valve or valves actuatedthrough such valve-stem connection will be varied diffcrentiallyrelatively to those of the valve or valves actuated by connections madeto the link or frame 35 between the connections of the rods of the fixedand the adjustable eccentrics or below the connection of the rod oftheadjustable eccentric.

It will also beseen that the direction of variation of distributionfunctions ofthe valve or valves actuated through a valve-stem connectedto the link or frame 35` beyond or above the connection ofthe rod 3l ofthe fixed connection will be reversed relatively to that of the valve orvalves connected to the link or frame 35 below the connection of the rodof the fixed eccentric thereto.

An application of the invention in which such reversal of direction iseffected is illustrated in Figs.i 5 to 8, inclusive, which represent ahighspeed air-compressor, having a steam-cylinder 1, and an aircylinder2b secured in line axially upon a bed-plate 5 and Ifitted respectivelywith pistons 6 and 6", se-

14 on the cylinder 1.` The distribution functions of the air-cylinder2l" are veffected and controlled by two inlet-valves 13C, of the plugtype, one' at each end of the cylinder, and two similar outlet-valves13d, each controlling communication between one end of the aircylinderand a reservoir, into which the air is compressed.

The distribution-valves of thesteam and air cylinders are, as in theinstance first described, actuated from an adjustable eccentric 16,controlled by a governor 17, and a fixed,

eccentric 34 through a link or frame 35, connecting the free ends of therods 20 and 31 of the adjustable and fixed eccentrics. In thisinstance,however,thc Stem 15, which is con pled to and actuates theoutlet-valves 131 of the air-cylinder, is connected to the link or frame35 above or beyond the point of connection of the rod 31 of the fixed,eccentric therewith. The stern 15c of the inlet-valves 13C of theair-cylinder is coupled to the link or frame 35 in line with theconnection of the rod of the fixed eccentric therewith, and the stern 15of the distribution-valve 13 of the steam'cylinder is coupled to thelink or frame 35 (through the rocker-shaft 37 and its arms 36 and 38) inline with the connection ofthe rod 2O ofthe adjustable eccentric 16 tothe link or frame.

Instead of actuating the distribution-valves of' both cylinders by andthrough the rod or frame 35, which connects the rods of the adjustableand fixed eccentrics, oneofsaid valves may be actuated through said rodor -frame and the other independently thereof, asin the constructionshown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11. In

this case the engine is a double tandem compound, having twohigh-pressure cylinders l IOO IIO

1'al and twolowpressure cylinders 2.2,.jset in line, respectively, withthe high-pressure cylinders. The pistons 6 and 7 of the righthand engineare fixed upon a common piston-rod 9,

g which is coupled bya connecting-rod 12 to the` and to an arm 24 on arock-shaft 25.

pin ofwa crank 10, and the pistons 6a and 7zt of the left-handenginearesimilarly fixed, upon a common piston-rod.9 andcoupled-by; aconnecting-rod 12B. to the pin of a crank 10"-,

set at anangle of ninety degrees to `the Vcrank by a distribution-valve13^of lthe piston type fixed upon a valve-stem 15and those of the Theleft-hand highfan'd low pressure cylinders 1? 2? are provided'withsimilarfdistribution-valves, which are not shown, and which` are fixed,res'pectivel.y,.upon stems 15c and 15d. The distribution-valves of thehigh-pressure cylinders 1 .1a are both actuated by a single adjustableeccentricl on the crank-shaft 4, whicheccentric is varied and controlledVin position by a governor 17, and are operated through angularconnections fromV the strap 19 of s aid v'eccentric torock-.shafts23'vand 25, as described in my applicationtCase A) tiled byme'of evendate herewith,Serial No. 526,041.

Suchconstruction, by which the movement of transmission of motion fromthe adjustableA eccentric ;l 6` to the links or frames 35 35a, throughwhich the low-pressure valves of the described.' y t Y As'inniyapplication (Case A) above referred to-,the strap 19 of theadjustable eccentric 16 is secured to two eccentric-rods 2O 2l, whichproject from the strap at right anglesfone tothe other and are coupled,respectively, to an arm 22 von a rock-shaft 23 The stem' 15 of thedistribution-valveof the righthand high-pressure cylinder 1 'is coupledto an arm 26 on the Vrock-shaft 23, and the stem engine are actuated inthe manner previously 15c of the distribution .valve of the left-handhigh-pressure cylinder la'is coupled to an arxn 4. Thelink or frame 35thus partakes of the motions of the adjustable eccentric 16 and thefixed eccentric 34, as in the instance first described. The stern 15a ofthe distribution-Valvewof the right-handlow-pressure cylvariation ofcut-olf than Ldistribution-valve.

A y the preceding instance. 27 on the rock-shaft25. The high-pressurelinder is coupled to the link 'or frame 35 `between the connections ofVthe'adjustable :and fixed eccentrics thereto, and saiddistributionvalvewill therefore, as in the former instance,

have a lesser range of cut-off and degree of The stem y15d of thedistribution-valveof the left-hand low-pressure cylinder is similarly lcoupled to a' similar link or frame 35, which is. coupled at one side toan arm 39a on the rock-v 'shaft A25 and at the other to the rod 31a ofan eccefntric31a tiXed upon thecrank-shaft. The

V f v i 'distribution-valve of the left-hand low-pressright-handlow-pressure cylinder by a vslide" distribution-valve 13, fixed upon astem 15:

ure cylinder will therefore be subject to the same operative conditionsas that of the iright-hand low-pressure cylinder, and the disktribntionfunctions of all the valves will be Figs. 12, 13, and 14 illustrate anapplication of the invention in a triple-expansionengine 'ot'. themarine type, having a high-pressure cylinder 1, an intermediate pressurecylinder 2, and a loW-pressurecylinder 3,.all,supported in aframeorhousings 5, ythe pistons 6, and 8 of which cylinders are xed uponpiston-rods 9, whichare coupled by connecting rods 12 to cranks 10 l0a10b set atangles of'one hundred and twenty degrees apart. Thedistribution `functions of the cylinders 1 2 3 are effected tbyvdistribution-valves 13 13a 13b, respectively, which are shown as of thepiston typ'e and are respectivelyxed upon valve-stems 15 15a 15b. Theseveral distribution valves are, in a broad and general sense, actuatedby a single eccentric 16ti`tted adjustably upon the crankshaft, andadjusted in position by a governor 17.y The specific construction,however, f ur- 4ther embodies a fixed eccentric 34 having Arodsconnected by links corresponding With the links 'or frames 35 35a,previously'de-4 scribed, to rods on the strap of the adjustableeccentric. The distributiorv'alves ofv lthe intermediate andlow-pressure cylinders `are actuated from said links, and that of thethe high-pressure IIO The strap 19 of the adjustable eccentric 16v isprovided with three arms 28 2O 21,.Wh ich; project from it in themannerof eccentricrods and are set angularly, the central arml 2 8 being atangles of ninety degrees with the two side arms 2O 21. The central arm28'is coupled by a link28L to the stem 15 of the distribution-valve 13ofthe high-pressure cylinder 1. The arm 2O is connected by a link 2Oawith one end of a' link or double-armed lever 35, the opposite end ofwhich is coupled by a link 29 to-'an arm 31 projecting, in the manner ofan eccentric-rod, from the strap 33 'of the Iixedeccentric 3ft. An arm22on ai horizontal rock-shaft 23 is coupled to the link 35 at a pointbetween the connections of the fixed and adjustable eccentrics thereto,and an arm 26 on the opposite end of the rockshaft 23 is coupled to thestem 15 of the distribution-valve 13 of the intermediate cylinder 2. Thearm 2l of the eccentric-strap is connected by a link 21 with one end ofa link or double-armed lever 35, the opposite end .of which is coupledby a link 30 to an arm 32 projecting in opposite direction to the arm 3lfrom the strap of the fixed eccentric 34;. An arm 24 on a horizontalrock-shaft 25 is coupled to the link 35 at a point between theconnections of the fixed and adjustable eccentrics thereto, and an arm27 on the opposite end of the rock-shaft 25 is coupled to the stem 15bof the distribution-valve 18 of the lowpressure cylinder 3. t

As shown in Fig. l2, the arm 22 of the rockshaft 23, through whichmotion is transmitted from the link 35 to the stem of theintermediate-cylinder distribution-valve, is coupled to the link 35nearer to the connection thereof with the adjustable eccentric than isthe arm 24 of the rock-shaft 25 to the connection of its companion link35 with the adjustable eccentric. It follows that the cut-effin theiutermediate cylinder will be variable through a wider range than thatin the low-pressure cylinder, and as the distribution-valve of thehigh-pressure cylinder is actuated through connections with theadjustable eccentric, by which it is variable through the entire rangeof cut-off due to said eccentric, the range of variable cut-off in thehigh-pressure cylinder will iu turn be wider than that in theintermediate cylinder. It will therefore be s een that in this as in thepreceding instances coincident and differential variation of cut-off inthe several cylinders will be effected by the governor.

rlhe leading and essen tial feature of my invention and that by which itis clearly differentiated from all prior valve mechanisms, so far as myknowledge and information of the art extend, is a valve actuatingmechanism by which distribution functions of two or more Huid-pressurecylinders are varied coincidently and differentially by a governorthrough the iniiuence of an adjustable eccentric and the resultantinfiuence of au adjustable and a fixed eccentric upon valves indelpendently controlling distribution in said cylinders.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by LettersPatentdifferential variations in the operations of the valves,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a fixed eccentric, of an adjustable eccentric,a valve operated by the adjustable eccentric, and a valve conthe valvesto the adjustable eccentric and from the other valve to both eccentrics,substantially as set forth. K

4f. The combination with two or more cylinders, of valves for each ofthe cylinders, a fixed eccentric and an adjustable eccentric,connections from the adjustable eccentric to the valve or valves or" oneof the cylinders, and connections from the fixed and adjustableeccentrics to the valve or valves of the other cylinders, substantiallyas set forth.

5. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an adjustableeccentric, a fixed eccentric, a link or frame connecting the rods ofsaid eccentrics, a distribution valve mechanism connected to the link orframe or to the adjustable eccentric, and adstribution valve mechanismindependently connected to the link or frame.

6. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an adjustableeccentric, a fixed eccentric, a link or frame connecting system actuatedby the rods of said eccentrics, two or more distribution valvemechanisms, and connections through which the movement of the adjustableeccentric is transmitted to one of said valve mechanisms, and aresultant of the movement of the adjustable and the fixed eccentric istransmitted, through the link or frame connecting system, to another oneor more of said valve mechanisms.

7. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an adjustableeccentric, a fixed eccentric, a link or frame connecting the rods ofsaid eccentrics, a distribution valve mechanism connected to the link orframe or to the adjustable eccentric, a distribution valve mechanismindependently connected to the link or frame, and a governor controllingthe adjustable eccentric.

8. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an adjustableeccentric, a fixed eccentric, a governor controlling the adjustableeccentric, two or more fluid pressure cylinders, valve mechanismsindependently controlling the distribution of said cylinders, andconnections through which the movement of the adjustable eccentric istransmitted to one of said valve mechanisms, and a resultant of themovement of the adjustable and the fixed eccentric is transmitted t0another one or more of said valve mechanisms.

9. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an adjustableeccentric, a fixed eccentric, a link or frame connecting system actuatedby the rods of said eccentrics, and two distribution valve mechanismsconnected to different points on the link or frame connecting system.

10. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an adjustableeccentric, a fixed eccentric, a link or frame connecting system actuatedby the rods of said eccentrics, a governor controllingvthe adjustableeccentric,

Y and twodistribution valver mechanisms connected to dierent points onthe link or frame .connecting system.

11. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an ladjustableeccentric, a fixed eccentric, a link or frame connecting the rods ofsaid eccentrics, a distribution Valve mechanism connected to theadjustable eccentric, and a distribution valve mechanism connected tothe link or frame.

12. The combination, with two or more eccentrics, of two or more valvesoperated by the eccentrics, and a governor connected to and controllingthe adjustment of one of the .eccentrics, and thereby adapted to effectvariations in the operation of the valves, sub- Witnesses:

J. SNOWDEN BELL, F. E. GAITHER.

FRANCIS M. RlTES.

